Victorian tradie fined after apprentice forced to ride in ute’s toolbox

A plumber has been slapped with a fine after driving his ute with a young apprentice in the toolbox.

The dangerous move, which authorities say could have had catastrophic consequences, came after the plumber and his 19-year-old apprentice had finished installing a hot water service at a property in Bridge Creek in Victoria.

Their client was to accompany the pair back to Mansfield, but there were only two seats in the director’s work ute, so it was decided the apprentice would have to ride in the toolbox, which was mounted on the rear tray.

According to WorkSafe Victoria, during the estimated 20-25-minute journey, the apprentice recorded a video commenting on the discomfort and heat inside the confined space.

When they finally arrived, the apprentice’s brother saw him being released from the toolbox, red-faced and hunched over, as the director and client stood nearby laughing and drinking beer.

The incident was only reported months later when the victim told his mother, who reported it to his Apprenticeships Victoria support officer.

WorkSafe’s investigators found some tools had been left in the toolbox with the apprentice and that there was a risk of serious injury or death if the ute was involved in a collision or stopped suddenly.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said there was no excuse for putting a young apprentice in such a vulnerable position.

“Illegally transporting this young apprentice in the back of a toolbox was extremely unsafe and could have had absolutely catastrophic consequences,” Mr Jenkin said.

“WorkSafe will continue to hold employers accountable when they fail to prioritise safety and wellbeing, particularly for young workers who won’t always have the confidence to speak up if something is wrong.”

The plumber, 31, was sentenced in the Mansfield Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to ensure that a workplace under their management or control was safe and without risks to health.

He was fined without conviction and also ordered to pay costs of $4249.